Lions and tigers, previously trapped in war-torn Ukraine, have been rescued and are now thriving in their new home at a South African game reserve.
The non-profit organization Warriors of Wildlife saved the big cats, who were starving and living in cramped cages.
The animals were rescued from the Carpathian mountains and the Mykolaiv region of Ukraine, where food supplies were critically low due to the ongoing war.
In 2022, they embarked on an 85-hour journey to the Simbonga Game Reserve and Sanctuary in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. They arrived in good health despite spending hours in crates during the trip.
Among the seven big cats rescued were six lions—Hercules, Khaya, Akera, Mir, Simba, and Cher—aged four to ten.
A nine-year-old tiger named Gina was also saved. Now living in large enclosures, these lions are beginning a new chapter in their lives.
Lauren Vad-Smith, the sanctuary manager, has been tracking the animals’ progress since their arrival in Africa.
She explained, “These lions now live at Simbonga Game Reserve in our sanctuary. Our mission is to rescue and relocate captive animals in need.”
Warriors of Wildlife focuses on animal rescue efforts, especially in Ukraine and South Africa. The organization allows tourists to visit the sanctuary to learn more about the animals and the rescue efforts.
This rescue operation is not the first in Ukraine. Since the war began, Warriors of Wildlife has saved and relocated 37 lions from the region.
In May 2022, the group, along with Breaking the Chains, rescued nine lions from Biopark in Odessa.
These lions, facing starvation, were moved to a temporary home in Romania before being transferred to either Simbonga Game Reserve or a wildlife sanctuary in the United States.
Lionel de Lange, founder of Warriors of Wildlife and a South African Army veteran, reflected on the international cooperation that made the rescue possible.
He shared, “It was an amazing effort to save these animals. Having lived in Ukraine, it felt especially important to get them out of such a dangerous situation. The future for those lions in Odessa looked grim, with no end to the war in sight.”
The continued efforts of Warriors of Wildlife provide a lifeline for animals caught in conflict zones, ensuring they have a chance to live in safety and peace.
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